When I was 16, my mother’s fourth husband adopted me. He spent most of his time at the bars selling drugs. But, he had the decency to give me his name. Eventually my mom divorced him but I kept the name. I figured it gave me a new identity and a chance for my children to grow up with a different heritage.

​My proudest accomplishment is that my four children have never experienced what I did growing up. They lived in a home absent of drugs, alcohol and violence. The worst my children every suffered was not always getting the brand name cereals they liked or watching as much T.V. as they wanted.I’m a blessed man with a wonderful family and I owe it to George and JoAnn Ball, my first foster parents who prayed for me every day of their lives. I thank God He heard their prayers and kept me safe in the middle of a lot of crazy stuff. The Lord be praised.

Take Away: My proudest accomplishment is that my four children have never experienced what I did growing up.